Full of purpose conversation

Jesus was a Master at the art of communicating.  He conversed with purpose.
How refreshing.
May I be frank with you? (Come to think of it, I always am!)
Many conversations that I hear are, frankly, boring, silly, superficial...downright annoying....
(Is that too frank?!)
How come?   They are circular, beginning w/a person and....yes...ending there.
We're masters of talking...quite a distance from communicating.


Humans have made talking an industry: I mean, just turn on the t.v. if you have any doubt...!
TALK shows, 'reality' shows that...yes, talk about themselves....
TALKING leads to self-absorption which in biblical terms is self-worship.
So, what is our alternative?


Let's look at how Jesus chose to deal with this while He was here on earth:


1. He WAS. He 'hung' with people. But He hung w/purpose!


2. He was CLARIFYING. The very first words recorded for in the Gospel of John that Jesus spoke were, "What do you want?" This way all involved knew the openness or lack of w/in the conversation.


3. He was INTRIGUING. Instead of always responding right away, Jesus ENHANCED the conversation! The next sentence recorded in John is "Come and see."  He GAVE OPTIONS! "Hey, IF you really are interested, invest a bit of time w/Me!  If not,....."


4. He INVESTED TIME w/others.  He really enjoyed hanging, listening, interacting...NOT DUMP and RUN!


5. He STUDIED people, LOOKING BEYOND WHO THEY ARE TO WHO THEY COULD BECOME! (BTW: HUGE, friends!)  "Jesus, LOOKING INTENTLY at Simon said, "Your name is Simon, son of John-BUT you WILL BE called Cephas!"  Inadvertently Jesus became safe because He offered hope of growth.


6. He HEARD WHAT PEOPLE WERE REALLY COMMUNICATING, NOT JUST WHAT THEY SAID.
    He didn't take offense.  Nathanael had rather dissed Jesus. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"  When Jesus first met him, Jesus complimented Nathanael! "Now here is a genuine son of Israel-a man of COMPLETE integrity."  Jesus knew Nathanael's heart. He OVERLOOKED the insult to the INTENT of the statement.


Okay, the above is all seen in John 1.  What is your response? We see how Jesus turned everyday conversations into a moment of focus on God.


What about us? How may WE turn conversations that WE are part of into moments that glorify God and are helpful to all involved?


Would love to hear from YOU!! Please hop ON THIS BLOG rather than responding on Facebook.  That way MORE can interact w/YOUR thoughts on this very key subject!!


May our conversations be 'seasoned w/salt', ENHANCING what is already being said....


Desiring to communicate,
Ele